Photo by Jim Ruppel – Copyright 2012
There’s a Blue Moon tonight meaning it’s the second full moon in a calendar month – this month being August. It’s bright, full, eerie and majestic as it hangs there in the sky.
While typically it is rare that the second full moon would be blue in color certain unusual particles of dust or smoke in the atmosphere can create them. Folklore has it that the name Blue Moon originated as a saying for when there are more full moons in a month than ordinary.
It is hard to believe on the same day of this month’s second full moon a National iconic legend, the first man who set foot on the moon, Neil Armstrong, was laid to rest – almost in tribute to a humble hero.
He commanded the Apollo 11 historic moon landing on July 20, 1969 and said as he stepped on the lunar surface, “That’s one small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind.” It’s been over 43 years ago and no other event has been more gripping and proud than watching a human walk on another planet. It hasn’t happened since nor been pursued.
Tonight’s Blue Moon is beautiful to watch rising in the sky, a pale yellow, as it first appears on the horizon. It seems so large and close at first and brightens the higher it gets lighting up the ground as if it’s day.
I can’t think of a more fitting salute to Commander Armstrong than the heavens escorting him to the other side with the rise of a Blue Moon.
Pat – from the ol’ kitchen table
It is good to see the name of someone I know as the photographer. And someone I consider a good friend.
Thank you Bob – Jim considers you a good friend too and will like hearing someone call him a photographer. I’ll pass your comment on to him.
We were lucky to have a lovely view of the Blue Moon this year – no cloud cover. We saw the Moon rise soft pink over the foot hills and be reflected in the Lake – right next to a Startling pink Mt. Rainier. The the moon moved upwards and into a stunning bright light yellow and was though the skylight over our bed as we tucked in.
The next night brought a big moon too, but it was orange and show all the grit in the sky as it ascended – still a vision to behold.
I thought of the Man in the Moon connection with our saying good by to our own moon walker.
Thank you for your lovely words on my blog and for all the links – took me most of the after noon to read it all 🙂
Thank you Patricia for coming to my sight and for reading and listening to all those links I sent you.
Yes the Blue Moon was spectacular for us too up here in the Rocky Mountains. I love the sky at night especially after a fresh snow with a full moon – it looks surreal and majestical. Then, with Neil Armstrong’s funeral the same day as the Blue Moon was so ironic. Funny I never thought of the Man in the Moon when I wrote that post but that really makes it eerie and more coincidental.
I appreciate your kind words and response and hope you come back soon.